Moving a rose bush

[Ally25]

Hi,

I've joined the forum to ask advice in relation to moving a rose bush. I am moving home and want to take with me a rose bush in my garden. I am moving to a flat with a common garden area and hope to re-plant the rose bush there but it won't happen right away as I will need to ask permission first. My hope is to remove the rose bush from the ground without damaging the roots too much and temporarily place it in a large plant pot to take with me until I get permission to re-plant it in the common area. Unfortunately, the rose bush has started to bloom and I understand this is not a good time to move it, but if I leave it in my garden I know that it is likely to removed as it is against a fence which is due to be replaced. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to safely remove the bush from the ground and will it be okay in a large plant pot until I have permission to re-plant it?

Many thanks.

 

[Sean Regan]

Hi and welcome.

I'm no rose expert, but I can tell you what I would do.

I've moved rhododendrons and camellias at the "wrong" time of the year and got away with it.
Removing it from the ground will put a strain on the plant, you don't want it to be "too leafy." So prune it back a bit.
Get a bigger pot than you think you need, a cheap plastic one will do and take as big a root ball as you can manage. Depends on what sort of soil you have. you don't want it to fall away from the roots as you dig it out. Once it's in a pot, pack all round the root with damp soil. Water it regularly.
Keep it in that pot until the late autumn. Then move it to the one you want it in.

 

[Ally25]

Thanks for your reply Sean, I have purchased a large plastic pot to use and will follow your instructions. Fingers crossed it will be okay until it goes in the ground later in the year. I just couldn't leave it behind to be ripped out by the landlord. Thanks again.